Determining Factors to Understand the External Quantum Efficiency Values: Study Carried Out with Copper(I)-I and 1,2-Bis(4-pyridyl)ethane Coordination Polymers as Downshifters in Photovoltaic Modules.

Downshifters refer to compounds with the capacity to absorb UV photons and transform them into visible light. The integration of such downshifters has the potential to improve the efficiency of commercial photovoltaic modules. Initially, costly lanthanide derivatives and organic fluorescent dyes were introduced, resulting in a heightened module efficiency. In a novel research direction guided by the same physicochemical principles, the utilization of copper(I) coordination compounds is proposed. This choice is motivated by its simpler and more economical synthesis, primarily due to copper being a more abundant and less toxic element. Our proposal involves employing 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl) ethane (bpe), an economically viable commercial ligand, in conjunction with CuI to synthesize coordination polymers: [CuI(bpe)]n(1), [Cu3I3(bpe)3]n(2), and [CuI(bpe)0.5]n(3). These polymers exhibit the ability to absorb UV photons and emit light within the green and orange spectra. To conduct external quantum efficiency studies, the compounds are dispersed on glass and then encapsulated with ethylene vinyl acetate through heating to 150 °C. Interestingly, during these procedural steps, the solvents and temperatures employed induce a phase transformation, which has been thoroughly examined through both experimental analysis and theoretical calculations. The outcomes of these studies reveal an enhancement in external quantum efficiency with [Cu3I3(bpe)3]n(2), at a cost significantly lower (between 340 and 350 times) than that associated with lanthanide DS complexes.

Exploring Ln(III)-Ion-Based Luminescent Species as Down-Shifters for Photovoltaic Solar Cells.

In this work, we have compiled our research on lanthanide-based luminescent materials for use as down-shifter layers in photovoltaic (PV) mini-modules. The complexes we have prepared (C1-17), with formulas [Eu2(phen)2(bz)6] (C1), [Eu2(bphen)2(bz)6] (C2), [Eu(tta)3bphen] (C3), [Eu(bta)3pyz-phen] (C4), [Eu(tta)3pyz-phen] (C5), [Eu(bta)3me-phen] (C6), [Er(bta)3me-phen] (C7), [Yb(bta)3me-phen] (C8), [Gd(bta)3me-phen] (C9), [Yb(bta)3pyz-phen] (C10), [Er(tta)3pyz-phen] (C11), [Eu2(bz)4(tta)2(phen)2] (C12), [Gd2(bz)4(tta)2(phen)2] (C13), [EuTb(bz)4(tta)2(phen)2] (C14), [EuGd(bz)4(tta)2(phen)2] (C15), [Eu1.2Gd0.8(bz)4(tta)2(phen)2] (C16), and [Eu1.6Gd0.4(bz)4(tta)2(phen)2] (C17), can be grouped into three families based on their composition: Complexes C1-6 were synthesized using Eu3+ ions and phenanthroline derivatives as the neutral ligands and fluorinated ß-diketonates as the anionic ligands. Complexes C7-11 were prepared with ligands similar to those of complexes C1-6 but were synthesized with Er3+, Yb3+, or Gd3+ ions. Complexes C12-17 have the general formula [M1M2(bz)4(tta)2(phen)2], where M1 and M2 can be Eu3+, Gd3+, or Tb3+ ions, and the ligands were benzoate (bz-), 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (tta-), and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen). Most of the complexes were characterized using X-ray techniques, and their photoluminescent properties were studied. We then assessed the impact of complexes in the C1-6 and C12-17 series on the EQE of PV mini-modules and examined the durability of one of the complexes (C6) in a climate chamber when embedded in PMMA and EVA films. This study emphasizes the methodology employed and the key findings, including enhanced mini-module efficiency. Additionally, we present promising results on the application of complex C6 in a bifacial solar cell.

Europium(III)-Doped Gadolinium(III) Complex for High-Sensitivity Temperature Sensing in the Physiological Range.

A new Eu3+-doped Gd3+ complex of formula [Eu0.0135Gd0.9865(pta)3me-phen] was synthesized and structurally characterized (Hpta = benzoyltrifluoroacetone, me-phen = 5-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline). The photoluminescence study revealed that when the compound was excited at RT, under a 457 nm continuous laser, the material exhibited high luminescence due to the antenna effect of the ligands, as well as a good balance between the phosphorescence from the spin-forbidden triplet (from the organic ligands), and the characteristic lanthanide f-f transitions. The ratio between the previous emissions drastically changed when the sample was heated up to 62 °C inside a tubular furnace. This ratio was investigated using the luminescence intensity ratio method, to analyze the capabilities of the sample as a temperature sensor. The relative sensitivity reached a maximum of 11.4 °C-1 %, maintaining a detection limit below 0.15 °C for the whole temperature range.

Improvement of the Proton Conduction of Copper(II)-Mesoxalate Metal-Organic Frameworks by Strategic Selection of the Counterions.

Three copper(II)/mesoxalate-based MOFs with formulas (H3O)[Cu9(Hmesox)6(H2O)6Cl]·8H2O (1), (NH2Me2)0.4(H3O)0.6[Cu9(Hmesox)6(H2O)6Cl]·8H2O (2), and (enH2)0.25(enH)1.5[Cu6(Hmesox)3(mesox)(H2O)6Cl0.5]Cl0.5·5.25H2O (3) were synthesized (H4mesox = mesoxalic acid = 2,2-dihydroxypropanedioic acid, en = ethylenediamine). Essentially, all of the compounds display the same anionic network with a different arrangement of the cations, which have a remarkable effect on the proton conduction of the materials, ranging from 1.16 × 10-4 S cm-1 for 1 to 1.87 × 10-3 S cm-1 for 3 (at 80 °C and 95% RH). These compounds also display antiferromagnetic coupling among the copper(II) ions through both the carboxylate and alkoxido bridges. The values of the principal magnetic coupling constants were calculated by density functional theory (DFT), leading to congruent values that confirm the predominant antiferromagnetic nature of the interactions.

Highly luminescent mixed-ligand bimetallic lanthanoid(III) complexes for photovoltaic applications.

Six new mixed-ligand bimetallic complexes [Eu2(bz)4(tta)2(phen)2] (1), [Gd2(bz)4(tta)2(phen)2] (2), [EuTb(bz)4(tta)2(phen)2] (3), [EuGd(bz)4(tta)2(phen)2] (4), [Eu1,2Gd0,8(bz)4(tta)2(phen)2] (5) and [Eu1,6Gd0,4(bz)4(tta)2(phen)2] (6) have been prepared with the Eu3+, Gd3+ and Tb3+ ions and the benzoate (bz-), 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonate (tta-) and the 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligands. The compounds combine highly efficient antennas to obtain highly luminescent complexes to enhance solar cell efficiency. The benzoate ligand has been chosen to take its advantage as a bridging ligand to end up with bimetallic complexes to study the effect of combining two metal ions in the luminescent molecule. The structure of 1 was obtained by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and 1-6 were found to be isostructural by powder X-ray diffraction analysis. The photophysical properties were studied by the absorbance and emission spectra and emission lifetimes. The magnetic properties of 2 were studied, and we found intramolecular antiferromagnetic interactions between the Gd3+ ions. We prepared luminescent down-shifting layers (LDSL) with the 1, 3-6 complexes embedded in ethylene-vinyl-acetate and studied their effect in the external quantum efficiency (EQE) and intensity-voltage (I-V) plots of a solar mini-module. We found that LDSL containing the bimetallic complexes 3 and 6 enhance the efficiency of the solar mini-module from 11.26(3)% to 11.76(4)% (+0.52%) and to 11.44(2)% (+0.21%), respectively.

Visible and NIR emitting Yb(iii) and Er(iii) complexes sensitized by ß-diketonates and phenanthroline derivatives.

Five new complexes namely, [Er(bta)3(me-phen)] (1), [Yb(bta)3(me-phen)] (2), [Gd(bta)3(me-phen)] (3), [Yb(bta)3(pyz-phen)] (4), and [Er(tta)3(pyz-phen)] (5) have been prepared with the fluorinated ß-diketone ligands Hbta and Htta (Hbta = benzoyltrifluoroacetone and Htta = 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone) combined with the azacyclo phenanthroline-derivatives, 5-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline (me-phen) and pyrazino[2,3-f][1,10]phenanthroline (pyz-phen). The crystal structures of 2, 4 and 5 have been solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. PXRD patterns show that 1-3 are isostructural. All the compounds exhibit a molecular structure with the metal atom in an eight-coordination geometry. The photophysical processes involved in the photoluminescence of the complexes are investigated; as a result, the radiative lifetimes (τ Ln), the 4f-4f emission quantum efficiencies (Φ Ln) and the energy-levels diagram are calculated.

The effect of the orientation of the Jahn-Teller distortion on the magnetic interactions of trinuclear mixed-valence Mn(ii)/Mn(iii) complexes.

Two new trinuclear manganese complexes, [Mn3(L1)(µ-OCH3)2(N3)2]·CH3OH (1) and [Mn3(L2)(µ-OCH3)2(N3)2]·CH3OH (2), have been obtained from the reaction of Mn(OAc)2 4H2O, NaN3 and the preformed N6O4-donor H4L1 or H4L2 compartmental ligands, which are synthesized via Schiff base condensation of pentaethylenehexamine with 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde or 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehye, respectively. Complexes 1 and 2 have been characterized by spectroscopic methods and single-crystal X-ray analysis. The structural studies indicate that both 1 and 2 are mixed-valence complexes containing angular Mn(iii)-Mn(ii)-Mn(iii) cores in which the metal centers are connected to each other by phenoxido and methoxido bridging groups. The coordination environment around the manganese ions is analogous in both complexes, but for a change in the direction of the Jahn-Teller distortion around the external Mn(iii) ions when going from 1 to 2, which is mainly attributed to the steric effect of different substituents on the phenyl rings of the ligands. The analysis of the magnetic susceptibility data indicates the presence of antiferromagnetic intramolecular coupling in both complexes, but the interaction in 1 was found to be nearly one order of magnitude weaker than that in 2. This fact is rationalized on the basis of the different orientation of the Jahn-Teller distortion, which modifies the magnetic exchange pathway through the phenoxido bridges from the equatorial-axial connection type observed in 1 to the axial-axial linkages displayed by 2.

Antiferromagnetically Coupled Dimeric Dodecacopper Supramolecular Architectures of Macrocyclic Ligands with a Symmetrical µ6-BO3(3-) Central Moiety.

Reactions between 2,6-diformyl-4-alkyl(R)-phenol (R = CH3 or C(CH3)3) and 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane (1,3-DAP) in the presence of copper(II) salts (Cu(BF4)2·6H2O, Cu(ClO4)2·6H2O/H3BO3/Ar) and triethylamine (TEA) in a single pot result in self-assembly of dimeric dodecacopper supramolecular architectures of 30-membered hexatopic macrocyclic ligands (H6L4 and H6L5) with unique and fascinating structures having the BO3(3-) anion as the central species bonded to all six copper centers in a symmetrical fashion (µ6-BO3(3-)). A number of closely related macrocyclic hexacopper complexes are reported: {[Cu6(L4)(µ6-BO3)(µ-H2O)(C3H7NO)2(BF4)][BF4]2·3C3H7NO}2 (1) (DMF = C3H7NO), {[Cu6(L4)(µ6-BO3)(µ-C3H7NO)3][ClO4]3·3C3H7NO}2 (2), {[Cu6(L5)(µ6-BO3)(µ-OH)(H2O)3(C3H7NO)][BF4]2·6C3H7NO·4C2H5OH·2H2O}2 (3), {[Cu6(L5)(µ6-BO3)(µ-CH3OH)(CH3OH)2][ClO4]3·10H2O}2 (4), and {[Cu6(L5)(µ6-BO3)(µ-CH3CO2)(µ-CH3O)(CH3OH)][BF4]·13CH3OH·8H2O}2 (5). A polymeric side product {[Cu2(H2L2)(CH3OH)(BF4)][BF4]}n (6), involving a 2 + 2 macrocyclic ligand, was also isolated and structurally characterized. Complex 6 involves dinuclear copper(II) units linked through BF4(-) anions to form a novel 1D single-chain polymeric coordination compound. This appears to be the first report in which a central BO3(3-) species is linked to six copper(II) ions held together by a single macrocyclic ligand through three µ1,1-O(BO3(3-)) and three µ1,3-O(BO3(3-)) bridges. In complexes 1-5 the BO3(3-) is present in the center of the macrocyclic cavity and is bonded to all six metal centers arranged in a benzene-like hexagonal array. In the hexagonal array there are alternate double (µ-alkoxide and µ1,3-O(BO3(3-))) and (µ-phenoxide and µ1,1-O(BO3(3-))) bridges between the Cu(II) centers. The symmetrical hexa-bridging nature of µ6-BO3(3-) is unprecedented in transition metal complex chemistry, and along with alkoxide and phenoxide bridges in the equatorial plane provides effective pathways for an overall antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between six copper(II) centers. In 1, 3, and 5 the BO3(3-) moiety is produced in one step (synthetic) by an unusual copper(II)-macrocycle complex catalyzed hydrolysis of BF4(-) ion in methanol. In 2 and 4 the central species (BO3(3-)) comes from boric acid (H3BO3) which is added to reaction mixture of Cu(ClO4)2/H6L4/H6L5 under inert conditions to confirm the identity of the central species.

Proton conduction and long-range ferrimagnetic ordering in two isostructural Copper(II) mesoxalate metal-organic frameworks.

Two compounds of formula {(H3O)[Cu7(Hmesox)5(H2O)7]·9H2O}n (1a) and {(NH4)0.6(H3O)0.4[Cu7(Hmesox)5(H2O)7]·11H2O}n (1b) were prepared and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (H4mesox = mesoxalic acid, 2-dihydroxymalonic acid). The compounds are crystalline functional metal-organic frameworks exhibiting proton conduction and magnetic ordering. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that the copper(II) ions are strongly ferro- and antiferromagnetically coupled by the alkoxide and carboxylate bridges of the mesoxalate linker to yield long-range magnetic ordering with a Tc of 17.6 K, which is reached by a rare mechanism known as topologic ferrimagnetism. Electric conductivity, measured by impedance methods, shows values as high as 6.5 × 10(-5) S cm(-1) and occurs by proton exchange among the hydronium/ammonium and water molecules of crystallization, which fill the voids left by the three-dimensional copper(II) mesoxalate anionic network.

Synthesis, structure, magnetic properties and EPR spectroscopy of a copper(II) coordination polymer with a ditopic hydrazone ligand and acetate bridges.

A new one dimensional coordination polymer of copper(II), [Cu4(L)2(µ2-1,1-OAc)2(µ2-1,3-OAc)4]n (1), has been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods and single crystal X-ray analysis [HL = (E)-N'-(phenyl(pyridin-2-yl)methylene)isonicotinhydrazide, OAc = acetate anion]. The coordination polymer contains two kinds of Cu(II) dimers which are connected by two types of acetate (µ2-1,1- and µ2-1,3-) bridging groups. The ditopic isonicotinhydrazone ligand coordinates to the Cu1 center through the N2O-donor set and connects to the Cu2 center by a pyridine group of the isonicotine part. The EPR and magnetic susceptibility measurements confirm the existence of two kinds of Cu(II) dimers. The intradimer isotropic exchange was estimated to be +0.80(1) cm(-1) for the ferromagnetic Cu1···Cu1 dimeric unit and -315 (1) cm(-1) for the antiferromagnetic Cu2···Cu2 dimeric unit.

1,3,5,7-Tetrakis(tetrazol-5-yl)-adamantane: the smallest tetrahedral tetrazole-functionalized ligand and its complexes formed by reaction with anhydrous M(II)Cl2 (M = Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd).

1,3,5,7-Tetrakis(tetrazol-5-yl)-adamantane (H4L) was probed as a building block for the synthesis of tetrazolato/halido coordination polymers with open-network structures. MCl2 (M = Cu, Cd, Zn, Mn) was reacted with H4L in DMF at 70 °C to yield [Cu4Cl4L(DMF)5]·DMF, ; [Cd4Cl4L(DMF)7]·DMF, ; [Zn3Cl2L(DMF)4]·2DMF, and [Mn2L(DMF)2(MeOH)4]·DMF·2MeOH·2H2O, . and (Fddd) are nearly isostructural and have zeolitic structures with a {4(3)·6(2)·8}, gis or gismondine underlying net, where the role of the tetrahedral nodes is served by the coordination bonded clusters and the adamantane moiety. (P21/n) has a porous structure composed of coordination bonded layers with a (4·8(2)) fes topology joined via trans-{Zn(tetrazolate)2(DMF)4} pillars with an overall topology of {4·6(2)}{4·6(6)·8(3)}, fsc-3,5-Cmce-2. (Pca21) is composed of stacked {Mn2L} hexagonal networks. In and the ligand fulfills a symmetric role of a tetrahedral building block, while in and it fulfills rather a role of an effective trigonal unit. Methanol-exchanged and activated displayed an unusual type IV isotherm with H2 type hysteresis for N2 sorption with an expected uptake at high P/P0, but with a smaller SBET = 505.5 m(2) g(-1) compared to the calculated 1789 m(2) g(-1), which is a possible result of the framework's flexibility. For H2 sorption 0.79 wt% (1 bar, 77 K) and 0.06 wt% (1 bar, RT) uptake and Qst = -7.2 kJ mol(-1) heat of adsorption (77 K) were recorded. Weak antiferromagnetic interactions were found in and with J1 = -9.60(1), J2 = -17.2(2), J3 = -2.28(10) cm(-1) and J = -0.76 cm(-1) respectively. The formation of zeolitic structures in and , the concept of structural 'imprinting' of rigid building blocks, and design opportunities suggested as a potential hexafunctionalized biadamantane building block.

Heteronuclear, mixed-metal Ag(I)-Mn(II) coordination polymers with bridging N-pyridinylisonicotinohydrazide ligands: synthesis, crystal structures, magnetic and photoluminescence properties.

Mixed-metal dicyanoargentate-bridged coordination polymers of Ag(i)-Mn(ii) have been prepared and their structure and magnetic properties were determined. Reaction of manganese(ii) chloride and potassium dicyanoargentate(i) with (X)(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)isonicotinohydrazide ligands (HL(1) X = Ph, HL(2) X = Me, HL(3) X = H) produced the coordination polymer 2D-[Mn(µ-L(1))(Cl)(µ-NCAgCN)Mn0.5(CH3OH)]n (), 1D-{[Mn(L(2))(Cl)(µ-NCAgCN)Mn0.5(CH3OH)]CH3OH}n () and [Mn(L(3))(Cl)(µ-NCAgCN)Mn0.5(CH3OH)]n () in good yields. Trinuclear {Mn(µ-L(1))Mn(µ-L(1))Mn} and [Ag(CN)2](-) building units form a two-dimensional slab in and 1D strands in . Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements showed that despite the long distance among the high spin Mn(ii) ions [10.4676(12) Å and 10.522(1) Å, for and , respectively], weak antiferromagnetic coupling takes place through the long NC-Ag-CN bridge. The best fit parameters to the model led to the magnetic coupling constant of J = -0.1 and J = -0.47 cm(-1) for and , respectively. The photoluminescence behaviour of compounds and was studied. The spectrum of compound shows a broad emission centered at about 450 nm and two excitation maxima at 270 and 310 nm.

Structures and magnetic properties of an antiferromagnetically coupled polymeric copper(II) complex and ferromagnetically coupled hexanuclear nickel(II) clusters.

Reactions between 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol (DFMF) and tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (THMAM = H(3)L2) in the presence of copper(II) salts, CuX(2) (X = CH(3)CO(2)(-), BF(4)(-), ClO(4)(-), Cl(-), NO(3)(-)) and Ni(CH(3)CO(2))(2) or Ni(ClO(4))(2)/NaC(6)H(5)CO(2), sodium azide (NaN(3)), and triethylamine (TEA), in one pot self-assemble giving a coordination polymer consisting of repeating pentanuclear copper(II) clusters {[Cu(2)(H(5)L(2-))(µ-N(3))](2)[Cu(N(3))(4)]·2CH(3)OH}(n) (1) and hexanuclear Ni(II) complexes [Ni(6)(H(3)L1(-))(2)(HL2(2-))(2)(µ-N(3))(4)(CH(3)CO(2))(2)]·6C(3)H(7)NO·C(2)H(5)OH (2) and [Ni(6)(H(3)L1(-))(2)(HL2(2-))(2)(µ-N(3))(4)(C(6)H(5)CO(2))(2)]·3C(3)H(7)NO·3H(2)O·CH(3)OH (3). In 1, H(5)L(2-) and in 2 and 3 H(3)L1(-) and HL2(2-) represent doubly deprotonated, singly deprotonated, and doubly deprotonated Schiff-base ligands H(7)L and H(4)L1 and a tripodal ligand H(3)L2, respectively. 1 has a novel double-stranded ladder-like structure in which [Cu(N(3))(4)](2-) anions link single chains comprised of dinuclear cationic subunits [Cu(2)(H(5)L(2-))(µ-N(3))](+), forming a 3D structure of interconnected ladders through H bonding. Nickel(II) clusters 2 and 3 have very similar neutral hexanuclear cores in which six nickel(II) ions are bonded to two H(4)L1, two H(3)L2, four µ-azido, and two µ-CH(3)CO(2)(-)/µ-C(6)H(5)CO(2)(-) ligands. In each structure two terminal dinickel (Ni(2)) units are connected to the central dinickel unit through four doubly bridging end-on (EO) µ-azido and four triply bridging µ(3)-methoxy bridges organizing into hexanuclear units. In each terminal dinuclear unit two nickel centers are bridged through one µ-phenolate oxygen from H(3)L1(-), one µ(3)-methoxy oxygen from HL2(2-), and one µ-CH(3)CO(2)(-) (2)/µ-C(6)H(5)CO(2)(-) (3) ion. Bulk magnetization measurements on 1 show moderately strong antiferromagnetic coupling within the [Cu(2)] building block (J(1) = -113.5 cm(-1)). Bulk magnetization measurements on 2 and 3 demonstrate that the magnetic interactions are completely dominated by ferromagnetic coupling occurring between Ni(II) ions for all bridges with coupling constants (J(1), J(2), and J(3)) ranging from 2.10 to 14.56 cm(-1) (in the H = -J(1)(S(1)S(2)) - J(1)(S(2)S(3)) - J(2)(S(3)S(4)) - J(1)(S(4)S(5)) - J(1)(S(5)S(6)) - J(2)(S(1)S(6)) - J(3)(S(2)S(6)) - J(3)(S(2)S(5)) - J(3)(S(3)S(5)) convention).

Self-assembled 3D heterometallic Cu(II)/Fe(II) coordination polymers with octahedral net skeletons: structural features, molecular magnetism, thermal and oxidation catalytic properties.

The new three-dimensional (3D) heterometallic Cu(II)/Fe(II) coordination polymers [Cu(6)(H(2)tea)(6)Fe(CN)(6)](n)(NO(3))(2n)·6nH(2)O (1) and [Cu(6)(Hmdea)(6)Fe(CN)(6)](n)(NO(3))(2n)·7nH(2)O (2) have been easily generated by aqueous-medium self-assembly reactions of copper(II) nitrate with triethanolamine or N-methyldiethanolamine (H(3)tea or H(2)mdea, respectively), in the presence of potassium ferricyanide and sodium hydroxide. They have been isolated as air-stable crystalline solids and fully characterized including by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The latter reveal the formation of 3D metal-organic frameworks that are constructed from the [Cu(2)(µ-H(2)tea)(2)](2+) or [Cu(2)(µ-Hmdea)(2)](2+) nodes and the octahedral [Fe(CN)(6)](4-) linkers, featuring regular (1) or distorted (2) octahedral net skeletons. Upon dehydration, both compounds show reversible escape and binding processes toward water or methanol molecules. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 and 2 reveal strong antiferromagnetic [J = -199(1) cm(-1)] or strong ferromagnetic [J = +153(1) cm(-1)] couplings between the copper(II) ions through the µ-O-alkoxo atoms in 1 or 2, respectively. The differences in magnetic behavior are explained in terms of the dependence of the magnetic coupling constant on the Cu-O-Cu bridging angle. Compounds 1 and 2 also act as efficient catalyst precursors for the mild oxidation of cyclohexane by aqueous hydrogen peroxide to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone (homogeneous catalytic system), leading to maximum total yields (based on cyclohexane) and turnover numbers (TONs) up to about 22% and 470, respectively.

Spontaneous resolution upon crystallization of chiral La(III) and Gd(III) MOFs from achiral dihydroxymalonate.

The achiral chelating and bridging dihydroxymalonato (mesoxalato) ligand is a new enantiopurity enforcer in extended structures by yielding the Λ/Δ-metal configured homochiral MOFs 2D-[Ln(2)(µ-mesoxalato)(3)(H(2)O)(6)] (Ln = La(III), Gd(III)) through self-resolution during crystal growth.

Magnetic ordering in two molecule-based (10,3)-a nets prepared from a copper(II) trinuclear secondary building unit.

Two new molecule-based materials of formulas 3D-{[K(H(2)O)(6)](0.5)[K(18-crown-6)](0.5)[MnCu(3)(Hmesox)(3)].5.25H(2)O} (1) and 3D-{(Ph(4)P)(2)[MnCu(3)(Hmesox)(3)Cl].3.5H(2)O} (2) have been prepared from a tricopper(II) secondary building unit (SBU), [Cu(3)(Hmesox)(3)](3-) (H(4)mesox = mesoxalic acid, 2-dihydroxymalonic acid). Compound 1 is obtained by means of the reaction of the SBU with manganese(II) acetate in the presence of potassium cations and the 18-crown-6 ether, whereas compound 2 is obtained by means of the reaction of the SBU with manganese(II) acetate in the presence of Ph(4)PCl. The [MnCu(3)(Hmesox)(3)](-) and [MnCu(3)(Hmesox)(3)Cl](2-) moieties in compounds 1 and 2, respectively, yield chiral 3-connected three-dimensional (3D) anionic (10,3)-a (srs, SrSi(2)) nets. In the cubic and centrosymmetric structures (Pa3) of 1, two inversion-symmetry-related anion nets interpenetrate to a racemic structure. The Ph(4)P(+) cations in 2 are organized in a supramolecular (10,3)-a net through the 6-fold phenyl embrace. In 2, both the cationic and anionic nets are homochiral and enantiopure with opposite handedness and form interpenetrating supramolecular and covalent (10,3)-a nets in the noncentrosymmetric Sohncke space group P 2(1)2(1)2(1). Both compounds display ferrimagnetic interaction with long-range magnetic ordering below 2.5 and 15.2 K for 1 and 2, respectively. A dehydrated phase of 2 exhibits a T(c) of 21.8 K. The saturation of magnetization, M(S), indicates two different ground states, S = (1)/(2) and (3)/(2), for the tricopper(II) units in 1 and 2, respectively. The different spin states of the tricopper(II) unit in 1 and 2 has been explained by means of a density functional theory (DFT) study performed in the [Cu(3)(Hmesox)(3)](3-) and [Cu(3)(Hmesox)(3)Cl](4-) fragments, for 1 and 2, respectively. A further DFT study has allowed one to analyze the structural parameters that lead to the different spin ground states for the trinuclear units in both compounds.

[Cu3(Hmesox)3]3-: a precursor for the rational design of chiral molecule-based magnets (H4mesox = 2-dihydroxymalonic acid).

Two new compounds K(3)[Cu(3)(Hmesox)(3)(H(2)O)] x 4 H(2)O (1) and {(PPh(4))(2)[CoCu(3)(Hmesox)(3)Cl]} (2) [H(4)mesox = mesoxalic acid (2-dihydroxymalonic acid) and PPh(4)(+) = tetraphenylphosphonium cation] have been prepared and magneto-structurally characterized. Compound 1 contains the [Cu(3)(Hmesox)(3)](3-) entity which can be considered as a new precursor for molecular magnetism. In 1 the triangular arrangement of three copper(II) ions bridged by alkoxo groups are further connected to a symmetry-related tricopper(II) unit through a double oxo(carboxylate) bridge. The resulting hexacopper(II) entities are joined further through anti-syn carboxylate groups into an anionic three-dimensional network of formula [Cu(3)(Hmesox)(3)(H(2)O)](n)(3n-) whose charge is neutralized by univalent potassium cations. The strong decrease of the chi(M)T product [per three copper(II) ions] in the high temperature range with the occurrence of a plateau for a spin doublet at T < 65 K is as expected for the coexistence of two antiferromagnetic interactions within the quasi isosceles tricopper(II) core of 1 [J = -194(1) cm(-1) and j = -3(4) cm(-1), the Hamiltonian being defined as H = -J(S(1) x S(2) + S(2) x S(3)) - j(S(1) x S(2))]. Compound 2 exhibits a chiral three-dimensional structure which is made up of an anionic [Co(II)Cu(II)(3)(mu(3)-Cl)(Hmesox)(3)](n)(2n-) framework with a (10,3)-a topology whose cavities are filled by PPh(4)(+) cations. The [Cu(II)(3)(mu(3)-Cl)(Hmesox)(3)](3-) tricopper(II) unit in 2 acts as a tris-bidentate ligand through the Hmesox groups toward three cobalt(II) ions, these latter ones being tris-chelated. Alternating current (ac) and direct current (dc) magnetic susceptibility measurements of 2 show a ferrimagnetic behavior with a magnetic ordering at T(c) = 18.5 K and a coercive field H(c) = 5000 G. As shown by the magneto-structural study of 2, the use as a ligand of 1 versus metal ions other than cobalt(II) or preformed complexes whose coordination sphere is partially blocked represents a new and rational preparative route toward multifunctional heterometallic compounds.

Mono-, di- and polynuclear copper(II) compounds derived from N-butyldiethanolamine: structural features, magnetism and catalytic activity for the mild peroxidative oxidation of cyclohexane.

The new mononuclear [Cu(Hbdea)(2)].2Hdnba (), dinuclear [Cu(2)(mu-Hbdea)(2)(N(3))(2)] () and [Cu(2)(mu-Hbdea)(2)(pta)(2)].2H(2)O (), and 1D polymeric [Cu(2)(mu-Hbdea)(2)(mu-tpa)](n).2nH(2)O () copper(II) compounds have been prepared by self-assembly, in aqueous alkali medium and at ambient conditions, from Cu(II) acetate, N-butyldiethanolamine (H(2)bdea) and the corresponding auxiliary reagents, 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid (Hdnba), sodium azide, p-toluic acid (Hpta) and terephthalic acid (H(2)tpa), respectively. They have been fully characterized by IR spectroscopy, FAB-MS(+), elemental and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, the latter also revealing intensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding in , resulting in the extension of the structural motifs and generation of tetrameric aggregates (in ) and 1D (in ) or 2D (in ) supramolecular networks. All compounds constitute the first examples of Cu complexes derived from N-butyldiethanolamine, while represents also the first coordination polymer bearing this ligand. Magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that compound follows the Curie-Weiss law, whereas follow the Bleaney-Bowers dinuclear model displaying antiferromagnetic coupling. Compounds act as valuable catalyst precursors for the mild peroxidative oxidation of cyclohexane, by aqueous H(2)O(2) in acidic MeCN medium, to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone with overall yields up to 38%. The effects of various acid additives (promoters) have been studied, showing the preferable use of trifluoroacetic (TFA), nitric and hydrochloric acids.

(infinity)(2)[Cu2(mu5-btb)(mu-OH)(mu-H2O)]: a two-dimensional coordination polymer built from ferromagnetically coupled Cu2 units (btb = benzene-1,2,3-tricarboxylate).

Hydrothermal reaction of Cu(NO3)(2).3H2O, Cd(OH)2 or Zn(OH)2 with benzene-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid (H3btb, hemimellitic acid) produced the 2D coordination polymer (MOF) (infinity)(2)[Cu2(mu5-btb)(mu-OH)(mu-H2O)] (1) and the 2D hydrogen-bonded complexes [Cd(H2btb)2(H2O)4].2H2O (2) and [Zn(H2O)6](H2btb)(2).4H2O (3) which are characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, X-ray powder diffraction and thermoanalysis. Magnetic susceptibility measurements between 1.9-300 K for 1 revealed three magnetic active exchange pathways that link the copper(II) ions through a long mu-aqua bridge, an anti-syn carboxylate bridge [j2 = 0.161(1) cm(-1)], and through a mixed mu-hydroxo + syn-syn carboxylate bridge [J = 83(1) cm(-1)]. At temperatures higher than 30 K the system behaves as isolated Cu2 units with strong ferromagnetic Cu-Cu coupling through the mu-hydroxo and syn-syn carboxylate bridge. The strong ferromagnetic coupling is explained with Hoffmann's approach by means of the concept of counter-complementarity introduced by Nishida et al.[Chem. Lett., 1983, 1815-1818].

Mixed-ligand coordination polymers from 1,2-bis(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)ethane and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate: trinuclear nickel or zinc secondary building units for three-dimensional networks with crystal-to-crystal transformation upon dehydration.

The hydrothermal reaction of M(NO3)2.6H2O (M = Ni and Zn) with benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (H3btc) and 1,2-bis(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)ethane (btre) produced the mixed-ligand coordination polymers (MOFs) 3 infinity{[Ni3(mu3-btc)2(mu(4)-btre)2(mu-H2O)2]. approximately 22H2O} (1) and 3 infinity{[Zn3(mu4-btc)2(mu4-btre)(H2O)2].2H2O} (3). The compounds, characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, X-ray powder diffraction and thermoanalysis feature trinuclear secondary building units (SBU) within the three-dimensional frameworks. The trinuclear nickel unit in 1 exhibits an intra-trimer together with some weak inter-trimer antiferromagnetic coupling with J = -13.88(8) cm(-1) from the magnetic susceptibility measurement between 1.9-300 K. The zinc coordination polymer 3 shows a strong fluorescence at 423 nm upon excitation at 323 nm (not seen in the free btre ligand). Compound 3 is thermally robust until 200 degrees C (ambient pressure) where loss of the water molecules starts. Careful control of the dehydration procedure (freeze-drying) for 1 and (heating to 280 degrees C) for allowed for a solid-state reaction with single-crystal-to-single-crystal structural transformations in obtaining the largely dehydrated products 3 infinity{[Ni3(mu2-btc)2(mu4-btre)2(mu-H2O)2(H2O)2].4H2O} (2) and 3 infinity{[Zn3(mu6-btc)2(mu4-btre)2]. approximately 0.67H2O} (4), respectively. In the transformation from 1 to 2 the unit cell volume is reduced to about 60%. The transition from 3 to 4 involves breakage and formation of new Zn-O bonds.